The first of multiple drafts about Shadow Milk cookie. (If I can finish the rest 🥲)
Also this was inspired by one of @kleptokure's stories so go show them some love too their an amazing writer 💞
You grunted lowly as you forced yourself out of the comfort of your bed at the sound of loud knocking at your door. You silently listened to find out if the insistent banging on your door was just your imagination. You grumpily groaned when you realized the knocking was, in fact, real. Standing from your bed, you wearily stumbled towards the door.
“Coming…” You yawned, hoping that the knocking would stop now that the cookie on the other side of your door knew you were awake. The knocking, however, became more persistent. You repeated that you were on your way, irritably stomping and quickening your pace. When you got to the door, you firmly gripped the doorknob and threw the door open in frustration. You expected it to hit whoever was insistently knocking, but you were only met with the cold breeze of the night and the stars.
Glancing around, you found no one. You huffed, chalked it up to an annoying prank, and was about to go back to bed. However, out of the corner of your eye, you spotted something on your door. A poster, fluttering gently in the breeze with an envelope taped to it. Your mind blanked as you stared at it in confusion. What kind of prank was this?
You stiffened when you recognized the Beast cookie, Shadow Milk cookie, was the one on the poster. ‘Invitation to Deceit’ was written on it, and a deep blue envelope hung beside it. You took a moment to look around again, completely awake now. Everything was normal. Nothing was out of the ordinary. You gently took the poster off your door, ripping the envelope off of it and cautiously went back inside of your house.
The envelope was a dark royal blue with writing in a black pen on the bottom right corner. Your name was spelt in cursive with small doodles of hearts next to it. Shakily opening the envelope revealed a small ticket inside. The ticket had the same design as the poster, Shadow Milk cookie’s close up face grinning directly at you. On the back was more writing.
‘See you soon, (Y/N) cookie,
Your favorite jester happily awaits your arrival~”
- From, you know who ;)
A terrible feeling of dread pooled in your stomach. You stared down at the note, rereading it over and over again. He’s back, you thought, your dough shaking at the realization. You needed to show this to Pure Vanilla cookie immediately.
Shoving the ticket back in the envelope you rushed to leave your house. You threw a thick coat over your shoulder and ran out into the night, clutching the envelope in your hand tightly.
It was so funny, watching you run and hide to that pathetic Soul Jam thief. Silly Vanilly can’t do anything to save you, for he is on his way to become the one and only~ It’s only a matter of time, Y/N cookie. I’ll relish at the sight of you drowning in deceit. I’ll see ya, sooner than you think, silly goose~
Deeply sorry for pestering you, but can you please write a platonic yandere shadow with a child of pvc! Reader? Like theyre just going around being a cute little kid and smc is just like "Oh look! Bait for pvc!" And then accidentally gets attached and thinks of them of *their* child. Obviously pvc is like "Smc i want to be friends but give me back my fucking kid"
Him finding you was a complete accident
Candy apple Cookie saw you once, mentioned it in passing with Black Sapphire Cookie and now Shadow Milk is curious
In the form of your governess he sees you
At first you're just bait for your father
So he takes you hostage and keep you in the Spire of Deceit
Then he becomes attached
Now that he's attached you're no longer bait, your his and Pure Vanilla's kid and he's just spending his rightfully earned time with you
All this is happening while Pure Vanilla is panicking about what could be happening to you and Shadow Milk is trying to win you over
When Pure Vanilla finds you both he's happy your not hurt but he's scared this is all an act
So with the help of Gingerbrave, Strawberry Cookie, and Wizard Cookie they beat Candy Apple and Black Sapphire Cookie and see you... stuck at a tea party with Sadhow Milk
He pushes the others out, only letting Pure Vanilla saty
"Oh, Vanilly, you came! I was starting to think you left me to raise the little one all by lonesome," Shadow Milk said, placing a dramatic hand to his forehead
"Shadow Milk, don't harm them. They are only a child," Pure Vanilla begs.
"Hurt them? Vanilly! Do you really think so poorly of me? I would never hurt our adorable little cookie," he says, pinching your cheeks.
"Our?" Pure Vanilla asks, confused and a bit worried.
This conversation goes on for a bit
At some point Pure Vanilla says that he wants to be friends but he would really like his kid back
Shadow Milk hugs you and pouts, saying he isn't letting go
Cue them having impromptu custody court over you
This whole mess becomes such a hassle because Shadow Milk as any form of yandere has his claws in deep
Once it gets settled you now have two dads with you as the only thing keeping their relationship a float
A/N: YOU CANNOT GET RID OF ME BITCHES I AM A SOLDIER, A COMMANDER WHO NEVER BACKS DOWN AND WILL SCREAM INTO THE SKY WITH RAGE SAYING “I AM SCRIPTSEEKSTORIES!!”
I AM ALIVE AND I WILL CONTINUE WORKING HARD TO WRITE FOR MY FELLOW STRONG SOLDIERS
Anyways, take what you wish for and consume it well, because I have more good ideas for chapter 9 😼
It would say that the greatest dragons of Earthbread were the loudest, and scariest beings to walk among cookie kind. Elemental Gods were the most fierce and dangerous cookies to exist. Monsters were the most feared and had powerful roars to paralyze prey.
However… no cookie that ever lived have ever heard such a raw, most rage filled, most deadly, most terrifying shout come from a mere cookie.
One like-
“AFFOGATO COOOOKIIEEEEE!!”
Every single cookie froze on the spot, never hearing a furious roar from any cookie. You felt your heart drop into your stomach, turning around to see the two grand doors leading to the garden burst open.
Affogato cookie felt his dough drain of color, scrambling steps back in fear while tightening his grip on his staff. Other cookies pointed their weapons at the noise, others backed away on instinct.
“I SHOULD’VE CRUMBLED YOU TO BITS WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE!!” Dark Cacao cookie shouted with hate, pupils into slits. You had never seen Dark Cacao cookie this angry before, even when he battles monsters he was always calm and collected.
How bad was Affogato cookie to have this reaction from him?
“H-hello my liege!! How a surprise to see you-!!” Affogato cookie stammered, dough pale with fear as he hid behind you with a squeak. You glared at him before turning back to your friend, shielding Doughy from whatever was about to happen.
“SHUT. YOUR. MOUTH!!” Dark Cacao growled with fury, “YOU HAVE POISONED ENOUGH COOKIES WITH YOUR VILE FILTH FOR TOO LONG!!” He dragged his sword behind him, where it glowed purple with an intensity that the sun would be jealous.
Meanwhile the other Ancients were trying to pull Dark Cacao cookie away, holding him back was a struggle enough even with the strength of Hollyberry cookie.
“H-hold on, Dark Cacao cookie!!” Pure Vanilla cookie yelped while holding onto his arm, “Control your anger, you old brute!!” Hollyberry cookie’s strength was the main reason Dark Cacao cookie was being held back and preventing a murder.
“Let your anger be known! Strike him down!” Golden Cheese cookie let out and cheered him on, “Y-you’re not helping, Golden Cheese cookie!!” White Lily cookie desperately tried to fish her down to keep their friend from attacking.
“H-ha!! Jealous that your advisor dared lay his hands on the one cookie you never forgot?” Affogato cookie got over his fear, seeing that his former king was being held back his smug demeanor was back, yet his entire body was still shaking.
“Affogato cookie, this is not the time-,” You tried to shut him up, “Oh, but it is the time darling~! Because they had the gall to believe that you would run back like a small cake pup whenever they get bored!” You visibly flinched at that, looking away.
“Watch your mouth, young man!” Hollyberry cookie warned Affogato cookie, her grip still strong and holding on Dark Cacao cookie but was reaaaally considering on letting go to make this disrespectful cookie to shut it.
“But why should I hide the truth of how caring and loving (Name) cookie was, despite knowing me for minutes they took me in~!” If you weren’t busy trying to push Affogato cookie off of you, you would’ve seen the pure love in his eyes when he said those words.
“And to think we only heard about them through stories and songs, I now know why my former liege regrets the day he turned his back on them~!” That seemed to hit a nerve, Hollyberry cookie’s grip loosened ever so slightly before reaffirming when she felt Dark Cacao cookie attempting to lunge with full force.
“Affogato cookie, shut it-,” You said again before feeling his hands on your shoulders, making you jump and instinctively held Doughy tighter.
“The way they tended to my wounds~ how they tucked me in bed when I was barely conscious~” He smirked with mischief, “We even shared a BED together!!” That made White Lily cookie cover her mouth and Pure Vanilla cookie gasp in horror.
“How dare you objectify our precious treasure?!” Golden Cheese cookie gasped, appalled, “Do you have no shame!” Any normal cookie would’ve backed off, but Affogato cookie was a pure psycho.
“So soft~ Such a pleasure to sleep with~,” He cooed, pressing himself behind you while intently staring with a smug grin at the Ancients.
“I-I don’t think we should listen to this,” Strawberry cookie tugged her hoodie strings and pulled it to cover her face as Wizard cookie gagged.
“Who knew (Name) cookie would be a freak,” Chili Pepper cookie snickered, all the while covering Custard cookie’s ears while Gingerbrave tilted his head in confusion.
“… Are we still talking about the bed?!” Your face paled from horror of him being purposefully teasing, then turned red from anger and embarrassment. Affogato cookie’s rage baiting definitely worked on his former king.
“SOLDIERS!!” If Dark Cacao cookie wasn’t going to be crumble Affogato, then his biggest hater and feral soldier will. Caramel Arrow cookie wasted no time in charging, Crunchy Chip cookie following behind with a manic howl.
You finally side stepped Affogato cookie and let him get chased and dodge from the two feral warriors. You groaned while rubbing your face, now seeing all of this as childish.
“Fighting isn’t going to get us anywhere!” You’re getting serious Deja vu watching Affogato narrowly avoiding these ruthless attacks.
“We can all try and have a peaceful- INCOMING!!” You instinctively casted a shield of amber over you and Doughy when Affogato barely dodged from an attack of arrows and a ferocious bite from a Crème Wolf.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment, snake!!” Caramel Arrow cookie gave the caffeine cookie a death glare that even made you shiver. Affogato cookie scrambled backwards as she reeled an arrow his way.
“Jellybee!” He shouted and pointed behind her, causing Caramel Arrow cookie flinch and spun around frantically, but was whacked on the back of her head by Affogato’s staff.
“Should we… join in? It wouldn’t really be fair,” Wildberry cookie mumbled, making Black Raisin cookie shrug her shoulder, baffled at the scene in front of her before the third cookie cleared his throat.
“Allow me~!” Smoked Cheese cookie grinned before sending a wave of sand, but stopped mid spell casting from a sword striking his staff. Financier cookie snapped out of her shock and was disgusted by these guests causing a mess in the garden.
“Such disgraceful and meaningless attacks on the property of the Crème Republic!!” Financier cookie scowled and commanded the Oyster soldiers to attack. They charged with weapons raised, but the other Ancients’ soldiers pushed back.
Now it was a small battle between the Ancients trying to calm Dark Cacao cookie down, Affogato cookie avoiding attacks left and right from Crunchy Chip and Caramel Arrow, Oyster guards battling Black Raisin, Wildberry
While all this happened, you were simply watching with wide eyes and taking a few steps back. Maybe if you were silent enough, you would be able to run away, change your name, have a whole new identity.
“You’re okay!” You flinched and turned your head to see the group of children that you woke up to. The one you recalled to be Gingerbrave, with his little friends behind him.
“L-listen children a-and other adult cookie, I-I really need to go-,” You stammered, now flustered at how eager these children and how amused Chili Pepper cookie looked at you.
“You mustn’t leave! You were poisoned by that no good Affogato cookie!” Wizard cookie urged, holding your hand while the others crowded you.
“For once I agree with Pointy Hat! You looked like you’re about to pass out,” Chili Pepper cookie sucked in through her teeth while looking at you up and down, your baggy tunic nearly slipping from your shoulder.
“P-please stay, you need all the rest you need!” Strawberry cookie looked so worried you faltered for a moment before shaking your head, remembering your stance on leaving.
“I’m sorry, but I need space right now for-,” That was when Doughy let out a sneeze, eyes locking into the younger cookies and cooing while reaching for them to play.
“Wow, (Name) cookie! Is that an actual baby?!” Custard cookie III decided to be the loudest he can ever be, as his voice boomed throughout the garden that made every cookie freeze, their heads turning your way.
Oh no.
“What is the meaning of this, (Name) cookie?!” Golden Cheese cookie exclaimed, shock in her tone with her feathers ruffling from a jolt through her body when she finally acknowledged who was in your arms.
“I-I can explain!!” You began but paused, “Wait- I don’t need to explain! They don’t involve you!” They first need to calm and stop trying to kill Affogato cookie before they could even try to look at your baby.
“How on Earthbread did you create a baby? Did you take this child into your care?” Pure Vanilla gasped softly, his staff widening its eye while intently staring at Doughy who was also intrigued at what the staff was.
“Those marks,” White Lily cookie’s hold trembled, “If they are one you created… which other dough did you use?” Even though there was no tone in her voice that indicated that she was accusing you for such a shocking act, your heart dropped when she asked that question.
“I-It’s not what you think!” You blurted out, the world beginning to tilt, the noises around you buzzing into static, your breathing getting heavier.
“Ooooooo! Did they baby trap the Ancients?” Chili Pepper cookie gasped, before being elbowed by Strawberry cookie who was frantically trying not to let her provoke the situation.
“How dare you accuse my darling of such harlotry, you over baked pepper?!” Affogato cookie took the brief moment to put his hand over his chest as if she personally insulted him, glaring at her for even thinking of you that way.
“OVER BAKED?!” Chili Pepper cookie shrieked before pulling out her daggers and trying to charge at him. She was held back Strawberry and Wizard cookie as Custard cookie cheered her on.
“You all are in violated orders to see our Madam Elder Oyster cookie immediately!” An Oyster guard shouted before getting body slammed by Wildberry cookie. The fight resumed, but this time every single cookie was fighting, all the while you stood there dumbfounded.
“Y-your majesty, even I think this is getting out of control!” If Crunchy Chip cookie admits the situation was getting worse, then it was getting worse by the minute. His king, however, was still locked into killing Affogato cookie who was also currently trying to tear off a Caramel Arrow cookie off of him.
“Grip starting to break!” Hollyberry cookie gritted before getting an Oyster guard cookie thrown at her by accident. Without her strength, Pure Vanilla, Golden Cheese, and White Lily cookie immediately lost their grip on Dark Cacao and fell backwards.
“DARK CACAO COOKIE, DONT!!” Pure Vanilla shouted in horror as Golden Cheese quickly grabbed her spear and readied to chase her friends from crumbling anyone.
“FINALLY!!” He roared, eyes locked on Affogato cookie and he gripped his sword and lunged at him. The caffeine cookie let out a high pitch scream and cowered.
Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Everything was in chaos, everything was getting too much for you, and it started to get to Doughy.
Doughy began to cry, which you would have soothed them, but this cry came with a shock. Their little mark on their forehead, one similar to Pure Vanilla cookie that you can tell he was their father, began to glow bright.
Your eyes shined in shock, before anger was already rising. Too much noise, too many cookie moving, too much bullshit you have to deal all because of one cookie.
“ENOUGH!!” You shouted, hands glowing brightly before a massive wave of magic washed over everyone. Every single cookie in the garden suddenly froze, being casted a freeze spell on them be held in awkward positions and poses. Meanwhile, you were panting angrily, holding Doughy in your arms.
“I am sick and TIRED of these constant fights!! I did not wake up from not only a 150 frozen coma only to be back on another coma from an arrow just to hear everyone argue about something so ridiculous!!” You began to scold everyone, finally tipped off the edge.
You turned to glare at your friends, especially Dark Cacao cookie whose fury washed away and replaced with shock. “You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do!” You stomped over and jabbed your hand into his chest, finally letting loose your anger.
“Being immortal and surviving this long doesn’t give you the right!” You wanted to say more, but your attention immediately went to Affogato cookie who flinched at your stare, frozen in an awkward position with his enemy on top of him.
“YOU!!” You hissed, “You think you have the entitlement to swoop in and act like Prince Charming after lying to me and potentially POISONING me?!” He stammered, opening his path before closing it shut.
“You lot are going to stay here, NOT fight anyone, because so help me if one of you even raise a weapon!!” Even thought they are literally frozen in place, if they weren’t they wouldn’t dare disobey a cookie this furious.
“How dare you? You cannot talk to us like-!” Financier cookie began to bark, bye one swift glare from you made her close her mouth, “Erh… forgive me…” She looked away in fear as you adjusted Doughy in your arms and turned away.
“W-where- where are you going, darling?” Affogato cookie finally choked out, watching you stomp away. He’d gladly let you vent, but he was currently in a frozen state where Dark Cacao cookie was in mid-swinging his sword, inches away from the traitor’s face.
“I need-… I’m going to-… WALK AROUND!!” You spluttered in anger “And I’m taking my baby with me!!” One more stressful situation and you swore you were going to explode this entire city.
“Argue all you want, but I expect EVERY cookie to stay where they are and not MOVE!!” You didn’t wait for any objections or agreements as you stomped off, a contrast to Doughy’s giggles.
“Barbarians!!” You said one last insult as you kicked a flowerpot, before stopping and silently put it upright and stomping away.
Silence filled the air, and even without the freeze spell it’s not like any cookie would dare to move. Affogato cookie’s eyes sweat to Caramel Arrow who was on stop of him, then back at the mid-swinging Dark Cacao cookie before a smirk grew on his face.
“…Guess who, as the kids say, fumbled the bag~?”
꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂ ꧁꧂ ꧁꧂ ꧁꧂ ꧁
“Unbelievable! They think that they know the best for me, that they are in control of my future,” You growled to yourself, “Well guess what?! I’M my own boss to my own fate!!” You waved a fist behind you, nodding in satisfaction before continuing to march away again.
As much as you would like to be mesmerized by the various of flowers you’d never seen before in this grand garden, you couldn’t help but still rant.
“And Affogato cookie! Who does he think he is?! I knew he was trouble, yet my hospitality got the better of me!” You scoffed a disbelieving laugh, “He knew who I was, or at least who he believed I was, and tried to use me as leverage!! For a cookie who doesn’t even like me!!” You kicked a rock that landed into a pond, causing a few fish to swim away in a hurry.
“What was his game?! He was slowly poisoning me over time to control me, but why take all this time to be so-! So- UGH!!” Doughy tilted their head before burying their face into your arms as if calming you down.
“Romantic?!” How can he take love and throw it around so foolishly? Doesn’t he ever experience the same love as you did? Well… if he did you’d understand, but you were sure he hadn’t!
“And the “Ancients”! They technically didn’t lie about their ages, but still! The audacity to act like that!” You rolled your eyes. Especially Mr. Dark “Love is a meaningless emotion” Cacao cookie!
“And to think they said all this things about missing me! For so long they missed me, and the way they looked at me-!” Your voice wavered at the last part, covering your mouth before giving a shuddering gasp of breath.
“And how they portrayed me like this holy and saint cookie singing songs and tending to cookies!” You paused, “I mean- that’s true I care for cookies, but I can barely hold it together when making eye contact!” What were you supposed to do, leave travelers crumble in the cold?! You’re not heartless.
“You would believe that living for so long they would’ve used their brains to-! To…” You trailed off, feeling your stomach drop at a sudden thought, a realization that answered long questions, yet opened many more.
“They’ve lived… for so long…” More than years. Centuries. They had seen the world change, cookies grow and age. Thousands even millions of cookies, alike and all, repeating a cycle of change.
“I’m amongst the other thousands of cookies they met for a thousand years…” And what made you stand out from others? What did you have to make you feel like you deserved their acceptance? Their love?
“I’m nothing greater than others that once roamed Earthbread. Oven, they met and fought against Gods and Dragons!!” You adjusted your hold on Doughy, “A-And what am I? Why should I be upset or entitled to not be in the center of their lives if all I did was having feelings?!” It truly made sense that they rejected you, despite your memories of faded romance and hurt pained your heart.
“But if I’m just the same as other cookies, why did they tell stories about me? Ones that made me out to be some grand cookie? Because of shame? Guilt? Obligation?” Your head began to hurt, your overthinking getting to you and making you more upset.
“I’m not some charity case!!” And if they saw you as a dime a dozen cookie, why did they act the way they did? Hold you the way they did? Maybe you really didn’t know them after all, and maybe this was their true colors? Be cruel and reject you after tender moments?
“No! I shouldn’t think like that!” You shook your head, slapping your cheeks slightly, “They probably had their reasons! A-and after the Dark Flour war they had duties, they couldn’t just search in vain for a cookie they believed to have crumbled, they had more important tasks at hand!” They must’ve had reasons to reject me and come back decades later!
“It still doesn’t make the hurt any less bad… I was merely an afterthought…” Despite it all your brain still believes your rejection was merely a month ago, why can’t they understand that.
“What are we going to do?” You finally asked yourself after the seemingly endless moment of silence. You felt exhausted, too drained to get angry anymore as you can only defeatedly sit on a stone bench.
“How can I even process all of this? How can a whole month of trying to reclaim my life from being frozen can lead to me being here?” You didn’t really tried to think about it, but it only didn’t more damage than good.
“My suspicions of being Affogato cookie’s pawn was correct, sort of…, my friends are considered important Ancients? Why are they acting like this?” It seemed like you just kept repeating things over and over, believing it might make sense if you say it long enough.
“Did the Dark Flour war really changed so much of this world? Of my friends?” You swallowed hard, feeling a lump in your throat, “If they’re able to move on and change, then so can I,” You puffed your cheeks out before deflating again.
“I don’t know how to move on like this… I don’t have anyone to help me through this,” You sniffed, tears threatening to fall as you were trying so hard to not break down in front of your baby.
“My moms are gone… my village is gone…” You choked down a sob, wiping the tears from your eyes to try and compose yourself. No time to waste on tears, you have to be strong.
“I can still make things right,” You reassured yourself, “Even though I want to wrangle every cookie that played with my heart, I have a child on the line,” The moment you said the last part, a smile grew on your face when you heard the giggles and shuffling in your arms.
“And you! You ever told me you had magic already!” You joked, finally able to check on Doughy, holding them up to meet your eye level. They gurgled and cooed, clinging onto your clothes with a whimper.
“Afafa?” They whined while pawing at your chest. Your smile faltered a little. You were aware of their babbling, and certain incoherent words meant certain things, and “Afafa” was Affogato cookie. You sighed deeply, smiling again while running your hand on their soft dough.
“I think Affogato cookie will need some time away from us so I could gather my emotions,” Even though they didn’t understand what you said, they could tell that Affogato did something bad, and they only cooed and leaned against you.
“My sweet baby, my sweet…” You paused, fully looking at them, “Calico cookie,” The name was perfect. You raised them up back in the air with your hands, the sun shining on their dough.
“You shall never be ashamed of the mix flavors of your dough, and I will never be ashamed of how you came to be,” Not once have you ever rejected the notion of their existence. Freaked out sure, who wouldn’t? But the moment you looked into their big innocent eyes, you didn’t see the Ancients. You saw your baby.
“You were not what was expected, but you are no less dear to me,” You cupped their chubby cheeks, their soft dough almost melting against your crisp dough. Calico cookie’s tiny hands held onto yours, a stark contrast between parent and baby.
“The Ancients will be forever known as heroes, but you? Calico cookie,” You hopped their nose with yours, “Shall be mine,” You then gave them a kiss on the forehead, and they squealed with joy, making you smile brightly too.
“Baba!! Mwawa!” They babbled, hugging your arm so tight and already fell asleep. How greedy, clinging on to you even when asleep, “Poor baby, you must be so tired after everything,” You couldn’t imagine how they must’ve felt the days apart from you.
“I’m going to be there for you, in every moment in your life. When you take your first steps, to your first adventure out there in Earthbread,” You promised, “You’ll forever be my little Calico cookie,” They simply snored softly before snuggling up to you more I. Your arms.
Behind you, a cookie curiously tilted his head, slowly walking up to you.
“Mind if I sit next to you?” You were startled by the sudden voice, looking up to see a blonde cookie with a suave smile. His scent was familiar, very close to vanilla.
“By all means, you may. It’s not my garden,” You spoke up, scooting to the side for him to sit on the bench while drying your tears. He sat down, humming while running his hand along the flower beds.
“Yes, it belongs to the Elders, which by extension it belongs to me too,” He teased, shrugging his shoulders while turning back to you, placing his hand back onto his chest with elegance.
“Clotted Cream cookie, the cookie who made sure you were surely heal from that tragic wound,” He bowed his head, a dazzling smile on his face that made you breathe a laugh.
“I’ll forever be grateful for your help, despite not knowing me,” You said, turning back to Calico cookie who decided your hand was the most exquisite meal they ever had, licking your dough.
“Oh I’m sure I know a lot about you by now, and it’s an honor to meet the renown mage (Name) cookie,” Clotted Cream cookie praised you. These compliments aren’t something you’ll get used to anytime soon, because it made your face heat up by his words.
“Ah, don’t believe what any cookies says about me. I wasn’t aware of all these stories and songs the… “Ancients” made about me. I’m less powerful and more pathetic,” You softly chuckled, laying your cheek against Calico cookie’s soft head.
“Don’t say such things, I wouldn’t say that giant wave of magic that burst into the sky you made a while ago was pathetic,” He titled his head, scooting closer while smoothing out his clothes.
“The thing is, it’s never done that before. Sure, I could do shields, healing, even nature magic here and there, but why create new magic now?” You looked at your hand, furrowing your eyebrows as you sent sparks of magic along your arm down to the tip of your hand.
“I have a theory as to why your magic is more powerful than you initially thought,” Clotted Cream cookie offered, “If your wish, it would be an honor to show you,” He offered his hand again, but you simply shook your head tiredly.
“As much as I wish to know too, I really want a nice warm bath and a hot meal right now,” You felt all sticky and gross from waking up and immediately began running around on roofs and gardens.
Just then, Clotted Cream cookie perked up a little and lifted his head, staring at the giant bush standing tall, yet he was more focused on what he was hearing behind it.
“I hear shouting,” He pointed out, looking up with a slight flinch, standing up to try and figure out where the loud sounds were coming from around the bush.
“Oh right, I kinda casted a freeze spell to keep them put while I reflect on my feelings,” You sheepishly admitted, fiddling with your shirt. Clotted Cream cookie simply chuckled and lended his hand out for you, to which you gladly took it and began walking next to him.
“Well, we should attempt to calm the situation and let you explain, (Name) cookie,” He smoothed the front of his coat, flinching when Calico cookie reached out and tugged at his sleeve, making you chuckle as he looked awkwardly at the baby.
“Let’s hope they’re not making too much of a ruckus,”
꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂꧁꧂ ꧁꧂ ꧁꧂ ꧁꧂ ꧁
~Meanwhile~
“I have slain beasts for less than that! You traitorous snake!” Dark Cacao roared, eyes into slits of rage as he couldn’t do anything but glare at the smug grin of Affogato cookie.
“Oh Ho Ho, can you~? As much as I can recall, you can’t move from your spot, unless you wish to feel the wrath of my darling~?” Affogato cookie taunted, yet in the window he was still fearing for his life as his former king’s sword was mere inches away from slicing his face in half.
“Silence, you fish!” Caramel Arrow cookie hissed, her frozen position of being on top of the traitor with her fist in his face and his own hand pulling at her hair.
“Should we… even listen to that cookie? They’re not one of the elders,” One Oyster guard’s eyes shifted to his frozen partner, “Yeah, but the way they glared at us, that’s a glare that can send even the deadliest of creatures cower and submit! I’m not moving!” Another guard yelped, shaking her head, shivering at the memory of your glare.
“Seems like the Dark Cacaoians do nothing but argue and bite, it’s getting old you big brute!” Hollyberry shouted from her frozen spot, her shield in front of her blocking a poor Oyster guard who was thrown towards her by accident.
“Our treasure deserves much for than a coward of a cookie who flees the moment his pawns are useless to him!” Golden Cheese cookie jumped in, her frozen spot was mid-flying with her wings tucked in trying to get between them.
“Treasure? Coward? Don’t make me laugh!” Affogato scoffed, “They were never yours to begin with! You made that abundantly clear when you chickened out the moment they opened their poor tender heart to you!” That made to hit a nerve as Golden Cheese cookie’s wings ruffled in anger.
“You speak as if you’re righteous, yet poisoned them to use them as a pawn for revenge, they are not yours to parade around as if you won!” Pure Vanilla frowned, hand stretched out as he was previously about to send a protection spell.
“Don’t lecture me about being righteous, you curdled extract of a cookie!” Affogato cookie was getting tired of these Ancients, and will no longer give an ounce of respect to those who have hurt his darling.
“Vile words for this unnecessary fight, (Name) cookie wouldn’t want this!” White Lily cookie gripped her staff tighter, trying to counter her own spell to release, but gasped when only a spark shot from her staff, making her eyes wide in awe.
“HEY!!”
The sudden shout made the arguing stop. They could not turn their heads but recognized the voice to be of Wizard cookie.
“This may sound awful, but all of your words are selfish!” He stammered, panicking on the inside as he just spoke up to the Ancients.
“Gotta agree with Pointy Hat, all we hear is your wants!” Chili Pepper piped up, her frozen spot was her raised daggers in the air and being held back by Strawberry and Wizard cookie.
“Yeah! (Name) cookie should be the one to decide what they want!” Custard cookie stuck his tongue out, before giggling looking at his own frozen spot, scepter resided and on leg in the air.
“Y-yeah! They must’ve been so scared waking up to a whole new world just for this to happen!” Strawberry cookie squeaked, her cheek pressed against Chili Pepper cookie’s back from holding her back.
“We should give them all the space they need, and held them work through this!” Gingerbrave beamed, showing a big smile at the thought of helping you after what you been through.
Those words made the older cookies stay silent. Affogato opened his mouth, yet closed it before looking away in shame. The Ancients did the shame, looking anywhere but at the short fuming cookie.
Financier cookie simply rolled her eyes, thinking how can great heroes fight like children. Her attention soon made her straighten the best she could when her eyes landed on Clotted Cream cookie walking up.
“Consul!” She cleared her throat, slightly glaring when she saw him with an amused smile and a raised eyebrow at her frozen state. Dark Cacao cookie glared at the cookie and growled.
“You-!” He began for stopping when you lifted your hand to silence him. You never did do before, but he instinctively obeyed as you held onto Calico cookie tighter and Clotted Cream cookie turned to the guards.
“From my orders directly, let them speak their thoughts,” He commanded, his head turning to smile at you. You nodded, raising your hand up, magic forming around your hand before a wave of light shot out around.
Every frozen cookie can move again, falling with groans and yelps. Affogato cookie quickly threw Caramel Arrow cookie off of him as she slid and held her bow at the ready from his majesty’s orders.
“(Name) cookie…” White Lily cookie whispered, getting up and took one step before stopping as you shuddered a breath.
“I don’t want any more fighting, I just want you all to listen,” You started, mustering the courage to look up and meet their eyes. Your body was shaking anxiously, but the touch of Calico cookie made you determined to take it all out.
“I want… to start over,” You managed to say. The wind brushed against the leaves and flowers across the garden, the only sound as every cookie was silent and listening.
“Believe me, I am still furious at you all,” You turn to glare at Affogato cookie, “Especially you,” He stiffly took a step back and rubbed his staff nervously as you turned your attention back.
“But… what hatred must I hold against you if it doesn’t benefit for my new future?” The truth was that it was never hatred, it was hurt. Either way, you can’t let it consume your future, especially now.
“The life I once knew is over. It had been over the moment I sealed myself in my magic, and I woke up to a whole new world,” You closed your eyes, letting yourself feel the world around you. A butterfly fluttered onto your head before deciding to nuzzle into your hair.
“The family I knew… are long gone,” You sniffled, “But that doesn’t mean I’ll let myself perish and wither from the regrets from my past,” You hoisted Calico cookie up and brushed your hair back.
“If you are all the same cookies I knew and… well, I put my remaining trust in my friends once more to help me,” Even if it means that you must push your past feelings aside. You would get over it eventually, love isn’t something you need to focus on right now.
“And we’re definitely going to talk about ending all this treating me like a saint, and start treating me like a real genuine cookie,” You quickly added, narrowing your eyes at the sheepish looks they had. You had to know to full extent of what this world sees you as.
“After that, we can part ways and live our own lives. You need not to feel obligated to watch over me. I’ll be okay,” Their eyes widened as Pure Vanilla opened his mouth, but stopped when Clotted Cream cookie shook his head at him.
“I have to be strong, and push forward for them,” You breathed out a laugh, “My… our child, Calico cookie,” You’d quietly guided them to have their head look up at the Ancients.
“You finally named them,” Affogato cookie whispered out, making eye contact with you before you looked away, not seeing the pain expression on his face.
The Oyster guards whispered amongst themselves, not really sure if they should keep attacking for continue to witness this moment. Financier cookie furrowed her eyebrow but stood down by the commands of Clotted Cream cookie.
“His majesty had a second heir? With (Name) cookie?” Caramel Arrow cookie’s eyes widened, “But how can they have a child if they haven’t seen one another in centuries?” Internally, she was also freaking out at the fact she also shot an arrow at her king’s other half. Oh Crunchy Chip isn’t going to let this go anytime soon.
“Ah, I see now!” Wizard cookie gasped in conclusion, “When (Name) cookie was encased in amber, they must’ve been holding onto Calico cookie, hence why they retain their baby body!” He explained with his chest puffing out with pride of knowing.
“Woah… so that means that, that baby is older than us?!” Gingerbrave said in shock, before getting excited about the thought of the Ancients and his favorite historical cookie being together.
“Can… we hold them?” Pure Vanilla cookie’s hands reaching out caused you to instinctively step back. You had a right to be hesitant. No one held your baby but you and Affogato, and currently your trust in him was hanging by a thread.
“Be careful…” You finally nodded, slowly trusting yourself to be parted with them for a small moment. Calico cookie was confused and looked at you before looking back at the Ancient.
“Vana?” Calico cookie’s gurgled, squirming around before using Pure Vanilla cookie’s arm to sit upright, tilting their head in confusion, the healer doing the same out of instinct, a shaky smile lifting on his lips.
“Created by pure Life Powder…” “To make… an innocent bundle of creation…”
“Well, I’ll be…”
“They were not made on purpose. Heck, I freaked out when they got created from simple crumbs and powder being tossed in a fire,” You softly laughed, “But seeing them reach for me, feeling their soft dough on my cheek… how could you not fall in love?” Calico cookie was many things that kept you going, the most important.
“I do believe this is the part where you all respond?” You meekly asked. Now that you think of it, why did you think they would react the same as you did? Maybe they feel disgusted, scared, weirded out?! Oh crumbs-
“In all truth, I really don’t know what to say,” Pure Vanilla cookie’s face flushed, a smile tugging on his lips as Calico cookie pawed at his soul jam. He brushed Calico’s hair away to show their little matching mark on their forehead, Pure Vanilla cookie’s heart swelled.
“I do!” Hollyberry cookie laughed picking Calico cookie up, “You have my eyes, little one!!” Calico cookie let out a squeal of laughter as she spun them around in her arms, your parental instincts making you yelp and raise your arms out.
“Look at your beautiful dough, a very precious and rare sight you are!” Golden Cheese cookie flappers her wings with glee, her eyes watering while gently scooping them up from Hollyberry cookie’s arms.
“Ooooo!! Wiwi!!” Calico cookie gasped and made gabbing motions at her wings, making little straining sounds while shutting their eyes shut. Golden Cheese cookie thought this was too precious and let a tear fall down her face.
“So small, yet endured so much because of us…” Dark Cacao hesitantly lifted his hand over Calico’s little body, before flinching when they grabbed his hand with a squeal, big eyes staring up. It was enough to make his bitter heart turn sweet, old memories he regretfully pushed away.
White Lily cookie squeaked when Dark Cacao cookie placed Calico cookie in her hands. Her body trembled, the thought of this soft pile of dough to be hers… to be of Hers… Pure Vanilla placed a hand on her shoulder gently as her eyes flicked to you, hands raised as if she would drop them.
“…Hello…” She finally whispered out, her lips trembling before Calico cookie plopped their chubby hands onto her cheeks, her face growing red before hugging your baby, making you breathe out a laugh.
“Affogato cookie,” The mentioned cookie snapped his head up and clasped his hands together, taking a step next to you.
“Y-Yes, my darling?” He gulped heavily, eyes wide and filled with hope as you turned your head to him. Your hand twitched, but you kept your composure.
“You have one more chance to make things right,” You took a deep breath, “Do not waste it,” He didn’t say anything, only staring at you and nodding frantically. He wanted to reach and hold your hand, a habit he used to do when he felt like his past would arrive before everything.
“And I promise you, no more surprises from us,” You turned back to the Ancients, gently grabbed Calico cookie into your arms before lifting them up to press their cheek onto yours, attempting to joke about how much of a spitting image they look like you.
FWOOSH
That was apparently the perfect time for Calico cookie’s giggle when a large pair of golden wings to sprout out from their back, hitting you and Clotted Cream cookie right in the face.
“…Ah-,”
A/N: The other reason this took so damn long was that a few weeks ago, I accidentally deleted the completed chapter of this and I needed a long ass moment debating whether to just quit lmao.
But I’m here now! This might even be better (or worse in my eyes 😔) so enjoy what I could remember.
Anyways- GOOD LORD WHAT WAS THAT CHAPTER GANG
Look at you being the over thinker that you are lmao, insults and accusations thrown left and right, realizations and regrets, oh my!
But the real freak outs and emotions will be next chapter where a certain Elder Cookie is not too fond of her garden being claimed as a war zone.
I'm here regardless of the pain. Don't ever tell me to go away.
Please leave comments and your thoughts on the chapter, they motivate me lots! Thank you<3
You're not insane.
No, insanity would imply you've lost sense over your choices. That your sanity has eroded and left your mind a wasteland for you to wander as a husk of yourself. The choices you've made up until now may have been incautious, but not by any means made in loss of reason. You'd even argue that you're too aware of the rationality behind your actions. Ever since that seal rotted, you've been operating on pure determination.
Now, your body has paid the price for your carelessness and offers it back tenfold. There's an incessant throbbing under your dough. Your throat is painstakingly dry and your eyes burn like they're being clawed from the inside out.
You've been on the walk for a while now. Lost in a train of thoughts that races past before you can grasp it. Your brain feels like mush; every time a coherent thought starts to shape, it breaks back into goo just as fast, taking any sentiment of frustration with it down the drain. So you remain a passive observer in your own mind, if just to avoid the headache.
Your feet move over one another; the pliant grass brushes against your ankles. You wander without a real direction to follow; the surroundings haven't changed from their humdrum appearance, vibrant fields of green – that's all there is for miles.
You halt. A tiny prick of irritation slithers through the tar of your thoughts. Am I going in circles?? Your hand goes up to your necklace on instinct. Nervousness building up in you like a dam ready to break. Your Souljam feels warm, uncomfortably so. Its heat pulsing and spreading across your chest...You don't recall putting it back on. Nevertheless, it's the last thing you're concerned with.
Those memories. They played before your eyes like a horror movie. Reminding you of the anger, the desperation and helplessness that had consumed you for weeks, months.
There is a reason why you barred the events away to the depths of your subconscious, never to see the light of day. Yet its narrative has holes; you've just never delved deep enough to actually question its essence.
Someone had saved you that day. You wouldn't be here otherwise. It's a bitter truth to swallow.
But who?
Elder Faerie had never told you who had brought you to the kingdom, and you had not explicitly asked. It was merely a fact. The subject remained the eggshells, neither of you thought about breaking. You look down onto the windless pasture, staring until tiny shapes warp from nothing.
You had woken up in the Silver Kingdom. Traumatised and on edge. Greeted by Elder Faerie himself, the fabled ruler of the Faeries, stories of his existence and that of his kingdom only passed down by parents to starstruck children under the shelter of their covers.
The conversation you two had was one that broke your world forever.
"Why are you showing me this?" You whispered, your voice a cluttered mix of confusion and misery, and your eyes beheld the glowing Silver Tree before you.
"Because you have the right to know what occurred," Elder Faerie admits. There are hints of melancholy in his composed tone. "...The reason why chaos broke out in the continent is because the other Divine Emissaries each abandoned their virtue and turned to evil."
Your eyes glossed. "What?..."
"After their descent into darkness, they purposely hid from you behind their Deceit, Apathy, Sloth, Destruction and Silence."
"They ...hid from me?"
I'm afraid so...The Witches have now banished them under the Silver Tree's quarry for their crimes. It appears Redemption was the only one that didn't fall...a small miracle in dire times. " The Guardian asserts, the gleam from the tree hits his armour and reflects to the ground in fragments. The stillness that accompanies you is excruciating. Whatever the Faerie King thinks of your rejection to respond is unclear. "...I understand you may be angry—"
Your eyes snap to him; the attempt at consolation veers at you like a knife. "Angry? Why would I possibly be angry?"
Your voice rises several octaves. "Is it because I spent every moment I could being with them and listened to their woes? Only for them to suddenly disappear? Then find out that they not only have given into corruption, but have also been purposely avoiding me all this time?
Elder Faerie stays silent. You continue, pacing back and forth like a beast in a cage.
"That I spent hours writing frantic letters when strife first broke out on the continent? Simultaneously trying to stop the chaos spreading across the land that they were causing behind my back!? That I dropped everything, EVERYTHING I was doing on a whim to visit them because I was worried that perhaps they had been hurt – or worse?? OR...or When those common Cookies ambushed my cathedral, and as I was crumbling in a pool of my own jam. All I could think about was praying and hoping that they were safe?"
You hold back tears. The anger within you is so poignant it threatens to poison the last remains of your soul. "Should I feel angry because I want to tear that tree from its roots and demand their non-existent remorse for making a fool out of me?!"
Your inflexion is jagged now. Breaking piece by piece. "Tell me, Guardian of the Seal. Should I feel wronged because—" You point to the cursed tree." -THIS WAS THE WAY I FOUND OUT?!"
The Faerie king bows his head."...I shall leave you in peace."
Once on your lonesome, you break. You fall to your knees; sobs that echo throughout the entire shimmering kingdom wrack your body. The cracks on your dough fester and expand with the overflow of your emotions, and the Silver Tree seems to mock you with its blinding light.
Why were you not enough?
You had hollowed out every part of yourself for them. But in the end, it seems that in their eyes, everything you gave was ultimately worth less than the dirt under their feet.
Why was everything you did never enough?
Why were you never enough?
For them.
For the common Cookies.
For the Witches.
Why were you never ENOUGH?!
What did you do it all for in the end?
Did any of it have a point?
If you had succumbed to your fate lying on those cold tiles, would they have known? Would they have cared? Or would they have laughed? Dismiss it like all the other lives lost by their hands?
You've lost everything.
Crumbling in ignorance would have been a kinder mercy than this.
...You've got a headache again.
It's almost laughable.
They betrayed you, and now, they have the nerve to want you back?
You squeeze your eyes shut and make an effort to focus. You can't unravel now. You can't. It would serve no use at all. You wish there was wind; you wish there were crickets of animals; you wish there was anything that could ground you. There wasn't. you wish your brain wasn't as scrambled as it was. It could aid you in confronting your bane much more clearly; instead, you're swarming in half-finished inclinations that refuse to settle.
You're not insane.
You reopen your eyes and directly furrow your brows. In the distance, lining the horizon, something glimmering catches your fancy.
Is that...a river? You ponder. Your footsteps move forward without inhibition, the itch in your throat ushering you to get closer.
Once you do, you notice its surface is pale; you stoop down by its edge, taking down your hood. The stream has no ripples, no waves to disturb its calm exterior; it's so translucent your own reflection stares back, the replication hardly looks better than you feel. Your hair is dishevelled, your eyes are jam-shot, and there are cracks in your dough. Just as you suspected. In spite of your condition, you reach out with awe, dipping your hands in. It's cold. very cold. You scoop out the liquid in your cupped hands and up to your mouth, testing the taste on your tongue inquisitively.
it's light and creamy. Almost like milk. Wait...milk? Colours flicker in the water; you look down, expecting the apparition to be gone, only to be met with a pair of eyes staring back at you.
Ummm?... You blink. Stumped, your hands frozen.
A splash to your left makes you jolt. ...A milk river and eyes... The realisation comes to you as you rise to your full height in haste. Oh crumbs, crumbs...
You whirl around, proving too fast; you go crashing into another. The impact causes you to sway and fall back, head hitting the ground. You hiss, pain erupting through your skull, and a giggle meets your ears, one that sounds much too harmless considering who it came from. It takes you a few seconds to pull yourself back. And when you unfurl your gaze, there's only black, save for the blue eyes etched into the darkness that blink diversely, and of course, the trickster himself. You sit back up, your eyesight striving to adjust.
A chuckle exhales from Shadow Milk Cookie again; he covers his mouth loosely with his hand like he's trying to maintain some form of manners. "Awwww..." He sighs with a jesting lilt. His head tilts, observing you as though you were a newborn cream lamb. His grin returns, all teeth. "Did I scare you?~"
You glare at him slowly, your eyes straying. Truly taking in how...different he looks.
His dough is much more striking blue. A claw mark runs down his right eye, which is ...cyan. His hair is dull; the bright cosmos has faded, replaced by eyes that ogle at you. He's wearing a pitch black jester suit, puffy sleeves, one black, the other white, cut with sapphire-blue accents and a ruffled collar that bears his...upside-down Souljam. He resembles...well, a jester.
The Master of All Knowledge has taken on the role of the fool. The irony is almost comical.
The Beast waves his hand in front of your eyes, snatching your attention back onto him. His grin sharpens. "You need to remember your lines, silly!" He leans further down to meet your hardened visage. Then sets his hand to his chest. "Haven't you missed little ol' moi?~"
Your eyes narrow. Not willing to entertain his dramatics. "No."
Shadow Milk Cookie gasps, albeit feigned; everything he does is. If there was a tiny crack from your answer, it's smoothed over in a blink. The merits of he who has deemed the world his stage.
You recoil as the end of his cane taps on your chest, on your Souljam. Tiny spurts of magic raptures from the staff, the reaction is quick – much to your dismay – the jewel lights up, glowing through your cloak, and of course Shadow Milk Cookie sinks his teeth into the acknowledgement. "Tsk, tsk, I think you have~" He chirps.
His arms spread out grandly, smile melting along the edges. "I've spent soooo long in that blasted tree, and allll I could think about was you. You know?..." He exclaims gleefully. You trail your eyes to your lap, but no sooner is the end of his cane under your chin and cranes it back up to meet his deranged gaze. "There wasn't a single moment where your adorable little face didn't fester in my thoughts!" He adds on with enthusiasm as if he'd been anticipating confessing the fact forever. He probably has.
The cane disappears from your chin to his hand, and he pretends to inspect the glowing ball with a laugh. "Besides, I'm sure the others feel the same...." He glances at you with a wicked glint, folding his arms behind his back. "Don't you think so, my lovely muse?~"
You ignore the pet name and attempt getting on your feet instead. You can't get a balanced footing. It's ridiculous how much your legs shake. That's when a hand and a ruffled sleeve stretch out in your field of vision. You need not look up to feel your pride whittling. You take the offer without a word. His dough is somehow colder than the milk river you drank from.
You expect him to release his hold. but he does not. Ever the showman he is, he lifts it and places a feather-light kiss atop your hand. You rip your arm away. his theatricality is nothing if peevish to you; It's as disingenuous as the deceit he'd grown so fond of.
You bite down on the acid of your own anger; you want to spit out your revulsion and defile his cheer until he's tasted the bitterness of your resentment and chokes on it. You haven't forgotten what he did. What they did. They showed you exactly what you meant to them when they shut you out. When they left you to rot, when their actions and choices riled up the masses to want to crumble you.
Time passing is not an apology, nor is obsession.
You gulp it down, and it burns your insides. "I couldn't care less what you or the others feel." You retort sourly. Just buy time. Keep the conversation flowing.
That shuts the Beast down, to your surprise. His smile dwindles. Face blanking.
It's both a relief and nerve-wrecking. You've got no idea what churns in his mind. He's brilliant after all; it's a fact. But knowledge without soundness of the mind to guide it, is dangerous.
After what feels like eternity, he chuckles, shoulders shaking. Then it breaks out to a fit of hysterical laughter. He buckles back, feet floating in the air. He laughs and laughs and laughs. All you do is stand there in suspense. It's harrowing not being capable of getting a read on him. Shadow Milk Cookie is akin to a puzzle with no right pieces – once you think you found fragments that can correspond, their ends prove too jagged to fit, leaving you more confused than before you tried to solve it.
You wonder if there's anything you could've done or said to stop his descent into insanity.
The Beast's laughter diminishes, his form lurches back in a backward flip, and his countenance stalks closer to yours. "That's right, I almost forgot! You found other Cookies to care for!" He chides, deceptively elated. You eye him spitefully, warning him to tread carefully, a warning he doesn't heed.
"Those, disgusting half-baked thieve—" He squeaks as your hand wraps around his neck.
You glower up at him. Your glare cuts through his charade. He blinks, caught off guard; the eyes in his shadows of his hair quiver. "Don't you dare call them that." You grit through clenched teeth.
The fool picks up the mask once more. Small giggles erupt from him, bordering on trembling, and he gawks at you in utter awe. "You care about them so so much, don't you?..." He asks; the bitterness under his tone is unmistakable. Your grip tightens, eyes narrowing. He hisses, legs flailing. He continues against whatever judgement he still retains.
"Oh, How they've corrupted your sweet mind...But I wonder...do you truly care about them—" His grin is thin as he purrs the last sentence. "—or do you just care about what they remind you of?"
Your crumblegrip slacks. "...What did you say?" You mutter, unable to register his question. Your lax hold is just sufficient for the trickster to scamper; his features darken, his eyes thin to slits and his smile turns cyan, then his body slicks into a black shadow, it crawls along your palm, your arm and shoulder. You watch it blearily. It materialises behind you, and you scowl at the proximity. The scent of blueberries is overwhelming. Your arm lowers.
Shadow Milk's arms wrap around you; his head nuzzles into the slope of your neck. "You heard me..." He whispers mischievously. You say nothing, and he snickers at your silence. "Nothing to say, hmm, sweetie?"
"That's not true." You murmur sternly. Not wanting to test the waters outright confirming his statement, jealousy is an even more vicious beast than the one you're stuck with.
"Is that so?" He repeats teasingly; his breath fans at your rapid-beating pulse. "Lying is not your strong suit~"
"I'm not lying."
"Heh...Just like how you didn't lie to them about who you reallyyy were?~" He drawls out sing-songily. Your hands ball by your sides. This is exactly what you didn't want. Going into a debate over the principles of honesty with the one who has forsaken it. Any Cookie subjected to his dreadfully compelling parlance would begin second-guessing their very morals. You need to focus, lest you be swept away by his poisonous ideals. He is and will remain the Beast of Deceit.
"That's different." You defend. Shadow Milk Cookie circles around back to your front, clasping his hands in almost genuine wonder. "Oho? Do enlighten me! What's the difference?"
"The difference is that I'm not lying." You snap back; your jabs don't elevate the rage within you. Not a lot will. It's an unquenchable inferno that you've had to live with and learn to force down.
The nauseating smile of his slips back, promising nothing good. "Hm! Alrighty, then let me narrow it down for you sweetpea!" His tone goes flat. "Why is it that you care for them so?"
Your visage turns vacant, missing how Shadow Milk's grin sharpens by the edges, relishing in the doubt that breezes over your face. Every sound except your own breathing disperses in the abyss of darkness. You've never wanted noise as much as you do now. An eye blinks to your right, and another to your left.
"Whattt? Can't answer? Come onnn, Haven't you rehearsed your lines?" His gratingly playful voice breaks the quiet. You give him a deadpan, and he puts his hands to his waist. "That won't do!" Shadow Milk lifts a leg in air, twirling his cane. " Orrrr.... is it stage fright, perhaps?" He winks.
"-er Cookie!"
A ghost of a shout reverberates through the abyss. Shadow Milk's facade drops in an instant.
"Meddlesome pests..." He hisses.
"-eader Cookie!"
"Please wak....up!"
The trajectory of your vision starts to swim. the world around splinters at the seams like a tapestry coming undone, string by string. And before the two of you can react, strings snap and you get the sensation that you're f
all
ing.
There's light and pain; it's muted, though, like being soothed. There's the scent of lilies and vanilla, a sweet combination.
Your eyes flutter open. White Lily Cookie hovers over you; she's glowing, her hair intertwined with butterflies, wearing a white dress. She smiles down at you with doe-like melancholy. You believed yourself to have seen every beautiful thing this world had to bestow in your unending life. None of it compares to the sight before you.
You shift your gaze to the side; Pure Vanilla Cookie sits next to you. His hands delicately weaving healing magic, possessing the precision only someone who's seen countless horrors could have. His eyes are suffused with concern. "Please...don't move; you're injured." He instructs softly.
The peace gets interrupted by a shriek directed at the Guardian.
"YOU...YOU!! HOW DARE YOU TAKE THEM FROM ME?!"
White lily drapes her arms over your numb shoulders protectively. Pure Vanilla's hands stiff. They stay like that until the phantom of the Cookie of Deceit has completely vanished. The rest of the group comes rushing up to you three, the brave trio inching near you with wide eyes. "Reader Cookie! Are you alright?" You smile at them weakly. "I'm alright..."
They fall over you into a group hug. "We were so worried!!" Strawberry Cookie cries. Pure Vanilla gently informs them. "Be careful now; their condition is still unstable."
Mercurial knight Cookie steps forth, addressing White Lily respectfully. "Guardian of the Seal. Let us defeat the remaining spawns of evil and take back the Faerie Kingdom."
She nods, looking to Pure Vanilla. "Pure Vanilla Cookie, Could you stay with them?"
"Yes, I will."
You were leaning against the Silver Tree. Pure Vanilla is still assessing your dough; you were worse off than you had thought. His movements trail over your arms, your neck and jaw. Each tinge grounds you to the moment. Healing is his expertise. Pure Vanilla Cookie was gentle in his work as he was proper. However, there was one wound he couldn't mend.
"There's a huge gash in your Souljam..." He mutters, his hands hovering near the star-shaped gem. His eyebrows furrow. "And there are cracks that originate from the cut that go over your dough that I can't seem to heal." His hand rests on your cheek. Your eyes close; you wet your lips.
"Because you can't." You reply, and the finality in your sentence lingers heavy.
Pure Vanilla's movements cease. "I'm sorry?"
Your hand grazes the jewel sorrowfully. "This...it...It runs deeper than my dough. It's imbued into my soul. It can't be healed."
None of you say anything.
"That may be so." The healer says sympathetically. "But I can still do my best to ease your pain."
"....Thank you...Pure Vanilla Cookie."
" Of course, after all you've done for us...It's the least I can do."
Everyone comes back relatively unharmed; the Faerie Kingdom returned to its former glory, lush flowers bloom, and The grass is soft purple and smooth to the touch, some patches reaching over the other. The air rings with dulcet musings.
The seal glimmered silver once again. The intensity that plagued the atmosphere was gone.
You sensed nothing.
Nothing.
Your mind went frigid as though you were doused in ice. You prop yourself up so quickly your dough aches in protest. Pure Vanilla and The dough trio hurry to your side. There's a high pitch in your ears. Panic overtakes all your functions. You sensed nothing. That rotting feeling of evil that once seeped from the trees' roots was no more. It could only mean one thing.
They had escaped.
Just then a voice slices through the air so evidently all Cookies hear it.
"You think you won, don't you?!"
"HUH?! How are you still talking?!" Wizard Cookie yells.
"You may be celebrating your little victory for now..."
"But heed my words! We have finally risen. Do not think that you can hold us back..."
"Foolish Cookies...! You simply have no idea what's waiting for you...!"
"HA HA HA HA HA!"
No one dares say anything.
It's been two days.
Two days since the seal split open.
Two days since Elder Faerie passed.
Two days since the Beasts escaped.
You've been staying in the Kingdom. Healing and the moon sink into the horizon and give way to the warm sun for the two days. The Faeries feast for two days in honour of the late King and new Guardian, it'd go on for months should they want it. The silver waters rush by in all their shimmer. The trees swoosh in the calming wind; branches touch the rays of light of sun and beam it down in outlines of leaves.
There was relief; evil was defeated.
You weren't relieved; there is no relief to feel. You've been in deep thought. Every hour was one where you'd grow more restless.
The first day you mourned Elder Faerie, you decked the windows and mirror in his room in white cloth and placed a basket of soil and salt on his bed, paying your respects. The second day, you were silently figuring out how to best approach this unforeseen conclusion. The Beasts had escaped. And worst of all, they remember you. You predicted that their imprisonment would tarnish their remaining sanity. Anyone who experienced their level of sensory deprivation would. But that they would stoop down to obsession... If Shadow Milk Cookie's words are anything to take to heart, it spells peril for not only you but the Ancients as well.
That's why you need to stop them.
A rope ties around cloth. You prepared all necessities you could possibly need to venture into the unforgiving land of Beast-Yeast. Food, water, and your weapons. Check, check, check.
It was dark. The luminosity of blue flowers basks over your form. This escapade reminds you of White Lily Cookie. She did the same, leaving in the peak of nightfall to confront her fate. So will you. If your corruption is inevitable, if you are destined to walk the path of evil by design, then you will drag them down with you to atone for the injustice that was wrought upon Cookiekind from the moment you were all created.
Shadow Milk Cookie was wrong. In every definition of the word. You care about the Ancients because of who they are as Cookies; they're kind and righteous. They represent everything Earthbread needs to prosper. That they powered through where you all stumbled is just a coincidence.
They have seen the cruelty of this world firsthand and still get up and fight for what's good. You admire that. Even White Lily Cookie. She saw the error of her ways and regrets it. That's the first step to Redemption.
Redemption...
Maybe it still has a sliver of chance.
"Are you leaving?..."
Talk about coincidences.
You turn on your heel. To see the two Ancients standing close together, Pure Vanilla holds a white cloak while White Lily holds a book...a journal. One that's too familiar to you. You swallow.
"Yes" Is all you can get out of your closed-off throat. The two share a look. You hate that look; being pushed in the dark is such a powerless state to be put in, thoughts starts to soar through the chamber of your mind like distressed birds. You don't want to be pushed aside. The mere notion itself devours you with anxiety. White Lily Cookie walks up to you.
"When I stayed in the Faerie Kingdom, my room once belonged to someone else; that's what his Majesty told me." She says, eyes glued onto your unreadable expression. "And I found this..."
What had inclined you to keep it? You went back once, once. There was no life to be found, only a decrepit cathedral. The winds wailed in sorrow. and it reeked of dried jam. You don't know why you picked it up and left; you just did. Never looking back since. The Holder of Freedom opens the book, her gloved hand running over the worn calligraphy. "I'm aware I shouldn't have pried, yet it was as fascinating as it was heartbreaking. It spoke of virtues...redemption and freedom." She glances back up at you with wonder. "I knew it had to be you, and it reminded me of when we first met."
I hold no doubt that you will lead through this life in pride and honour.
Always remember the light in your heart, and your path shall always find itself back to where you want to be.
"I..." She looks back to Pure Vanilla Cookie. "We...have never forgotten those words. She turns back to you. "We'd sit by the campfire and discuss you... who you were and if we'd ever see you again."
Pure Vanilla Cookie is the one who speaks next. "You've been through a lot of hardships. You don't have to carry it all alone. Reader Cookie..."
"But I do." You finally respond. "You, the other Ancients, none of you understand what you're truly up against. " Your voice is firm amidst the breeze of the night. "You inherited the vestiges of purity once part of their original strength that they now want back. I made a promise...that if the Beasts would ever escape. I would stop them and protect the new holders." You sigh at last. "Even if that wasn't the case...there's something I need to retrieve from their domains."
Pure Vanilla Cookie walks up to you and places the clothing in your hands. "The Faerie Cookies made this for you as a thank you for your help." He murmurs. You expand the fabric; it's a full-length white cloak with white sleeves and accents of different fading colours along its edges. You smile.
You unclasp your grey cloak and fold it into your carry bag, putting on the new one. "It fits perfectly. Send the Faeries my sincere thanks..."
Pure Vanilla Cookie straightens like he'd remembered an important detail. He reached into his pocket for three secured letters with sigils. One a diamond, one a triangle, and the other a heart. He gives you them. His mismatched eyes soften. "I sent word to Crispia; the others know you're on your way and... who you are. I apologise for my possible overstep."
You scrutinise the crests, lagging slightly on the diamond-shaped stamp. "So you knew I was planning on leaving then?" You chuckle light-heartedly.
"Thank you both; I'll be back as soon as I can." You assure, pivoting around to trek into the vast land. Magic manifests from the ground and shrouds you in stars. Your dough reduces to powder and wings.
"Be careful, Reader Cookie..."
You give the two heroes one last glassy-eyed look and fly up into the sky.
Will I be able to stop them? You wonder. Evil has nothing to lose; it devours and takes what it pleases, uncaring how it affects the world. The good have everything to lose.
When all has been done, when the final civilisation has fallen. When the lands are decayed to barren wastelands. When hope has been snuffed out in every nook and cranny of Earthbread. When there's nothing left to destroy and no one left to deceive, the final bodies are dissipated to flour, when everyone has crumbled under the illusion of endless happiness and everything is silent.
Would they be satisfied?
It's a question that beckons an impossible answer. You wouldn't let it happen, not ever.
Your grief could only go so far.
So you fly, over the forests, to the resolute Kingdom that stands by the Licorice sea.
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
Previous | Next.
Phew Finally! Now comes admittedly the most fun parts! The other Beasts! I Hope this chapter was alright, i'm a bit scared I wrote the Ancients and SMC a bit too out-of-character :,) Sorry for that! This is a bit later because well...I just overslept and woke up at almost 6 pm instead of 6 am...Anywho. How was this chapter?
AN: Nightmare blunt rotation. i should have made general headcanons instead of little scenarios because I just know some of them ended up OOC. I ALSO COULD NOT find a JJK woman to fit the last part. FUCK IT WE BALL FOR MY FIRST TIME DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS😭
Word Count: <1k
You think you’re going crazy, but you could have sworn you’ve seen that man way more than what’s considered normal. He’s in the park, at the grocery store, sometimes you see him walking by your house despite having never seen him in your neighborhood before. Maybe he just recently moved here? But no… It seems like he’s noticed how often he’s running into you too with the confused looks he gives you whenever you two bump into each other when turning corners on the sidewalk or the dairy aisle.
This can’t just be a coincidence anymore…
“Oof!””
You’re lost in thought when you feel your head hit something soft yet solid, effectively disorienting you. As you try to gather your bearings, you can hear someone chuckling as they pick your bag off of the floor.
“Oh dear, you should be more careful next time~”
You grumble out a thank you while you shake your head. His voice made you feel yucky, but his smile was so much worse when you could finally see properly as he kindly handed you your bag.
Don’t be mean to someone you just walked into…
“Have we met before?”
He shakes his head as he chuckles again. His soft white strands sway from side-to-side and you find yourself grimacing further.
“No, I don’t think we have. But, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
Your eye twitches as you bite your tongue and try not to recoil in disgust.
- Satoru Gojo, Lygus, Shadow Milk Cookie
Flash!
You turn around when you hear an out-of-place shutter sound with an accompanying flash in your direction. What greets you is a tall man dressed in dark clothing and nervously fumbling with his clunky camera. His face flushes a bright pink when he sees you’ve noticed him trying to discreetly take a photo of you, and it causes him to immediately freeze next to the large plant he was definitely using to hide behind prior to being discovered.
“You know you should ask for permission before taking a photo of someone.”
You hiss out as you walk up to him. You put your hands on your hips and try to give him the meanest glare you can muster despite how your eyes wandered over his body. Sweat beads down his forehead and makes his hair cling to his face as flustered apologies leave his lips.
Oh. He’s cute~
Normally, you would have demanded for the creep to hand over their device so you could personally delete the photo before giving them a good thrashing, but…
“So you gonna ask or what?”
His eyes widen and he’s quickly nodding (once he understands you didn’t just threaten to call the police) as he tries not to drop his camera in excitement. You give him a snarky grin and grab his wrist to drag him to a better spot. You can feel him shaking in your grasp and you think you have him right where you want him.
What an easy man.
- Pure Vanilla Cookie, Phainon, Yuji Itadori
“What a beautiful, young person you are.”
You hear a sultry woman’s voice behind you, but you don’t bother turning around.
She’s probably complimenting someone with her.
A new cafe had opened up in the area and you did dearly want to go with someone you knew, but alas they were all busy. The grand opening was giving out tons of free things and you couldn’t just miss out on it because you were alone.
You stand on the line and continue to scroll through your phone until you feel someone poking your shoulder. Your head whips around and morphs into one of confusion as you come face-to-face with the most gorgeous woman you’ve ever seen.
“Oh, uhm, did you need something?”
You feel out of place in your outfit as you see she’s dressed to the nines and smiling at you, which you reciprocate with much less enthusiasm.
“Need? Oh, no. I was just complimenting you. It doesn’t seem like you’ve heard me…”
Your smile becomes even more wobbly as you feel the saliva in your mouth dry up.
“W-what compliment…”
The lady looks at you in confusion before giving you that confident grin and repeating what you thought you had only imagined mere moments ago.
“You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”
You nervously try to laugh it off as a joke, but the woman doesn’t budge. If anything, she’s taken your flustered state as an opportunity to move even closer to you. Your noses are nearly touching as your laugh trails off with the proper words to say in this situation finally coming to your mind.
“Thank you…”
She gives you a wicked smile before placing a finger under your chin and shutting your mouth for you. It only serves to make your face become more red as you hadn’t even realized you were literally staring at her with your mouth agape after muttering those two words. You jolt when the woman’s fingers intertwine with yours but are frozen in embarrassment and shock, leaving you unable to do a thing.
“I heard great things about this place.”
You barely even glance at the line finally moving up a few steps, your eyes locked onto her completely.
“Yet I didn’t think I would find someone even better.”
She gives you a wink that has your heart feeling like it’s going to burst.
I’m going to die…
- Eternal Sugar Cookie, Aglaea, Uro
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More Here -> First Date - General ML - Twisted Wonderland ML
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